“I was fortunate enough to play in every league in the football pyramid.” - Coventry City’s Sam Ricketts

18 November 2016

Laura Hunter

Coventry City's club captain Sam Ricketts has taken the decision to retire following a chronic knee injury...

The 35-year old defender announced his retirement from playing this week, having enjoyed a 16-year tenure in the professional game.

Ricketts featured 46 times for the Sky Blues in his 18 month stint at the club, and wracked up the best part of 500 senior career appearances.

Having played in every tier of English football, from the Conference to the Premier League, Ricketts reflected back on what has been a fantastic service to the game.

He said: “A difficult decision in terms of not wanting to stop playing football, but unfortunately everybody has to stop at some point. It has just come a bit prematurely for me.

“I’ve tried to keep myself fit over the years and wanted to keep playing late in to my thirties or as long as I could, but my body has given up before me. I can’t grumble though, I’ve had a great time and I’m 35 now.

“The promotions and international caps have been a huge highlight, obviously my Wales debut. I was fortunate enough to play in every league in the football pyramid which has been hugely rewarding.”

Speaking also about his time at Coventry City, Ricketts added: “Things like playing at Anfield as a Liverpool fan and at Wembley are the things you look back on, very grateful to have done that.

“Last year was such a big year, trying to make the club successful again. Coventry have got a big enough fanbase to support them all the way through to the top leagues. This club doesn’t have a limit, they have got the fanbase to be hugely successful.

“I’ve started doing my coaching badges a few years ago, I’ve completed my A license now which gives me options. I would like to be a manager one day, I think I’d be suited to working with pro’s and if I got the opportunity it would definitely interest me.”